How to Build a Wooden Tree Swing - Illustrated.

Here is an illustrated guide on how to build a wooden tree swing.

Tree and branch: What kind of tree branch? You want a branch that is strong enough to hold the weight of an adult. You want a branch that is far from the trunk so that the swing will not hit the trunk. You want a branch that is not close to any other branches so the rope won't hit anything. Prune if necessary. You want a branch that is high enough for a swing. I picked an evergreen tree in our back yard. The branch has about about an 8 inch diameter, and is about 15 feet from the ground.



Rope: Nylon rope is good because it holds up in weather. Pictured is 100ft of 3/8 inch nylon rope (240 pound test). Since the swing will have two ropes, that gives you 480 pounds of strength. About $10.



Bench: A piece of 2x6 wood for the bench. I had a scrap piece that was about 20 inches long. Drill holes in the four corners with a 3/8 drill bit. Drill close to the edge, but not so close that the wood is weakened. The holes should be wide enough for the rope to go through, but no wider. Sand the wood so your kid doesn't get a sliver in the behind. And apply wood finish to help minimize weathering.



Eye bolt: Get two heavy duty eye bolts with washers and nuts. Drill holes through tree branch (you will need a 3/8 foot long drill bit). Run bolts through the branch. The ropes will attach to these. DO NOT loop the rope over the branches. The rope loops can fray and weaken the rope, and the wear on the bark can kill the branch. Buy strong bolts that will support the weight. About $8 per bolt.



Bench Rope: Cut two 4 foot lengths of rope, put them through the bench drill holes, tie simple knots and burn the ends so they don't fray. My lovely thirteen year old demonstrates.






Swing Ropes: Cut two long pieces of rope for the swing. Tie loop knots on one end, and run the rope through the eye bolt and loop. Burn the ends so that they do not fray. You can see this step in the first picture with me on the ladder.






Attach the swing: Attach the swing and you're done! You can do a fishing version of the loop knot called the "Palomar Knot" (description here) to attach the wood. The four foot loop of rope from the swing will be your fish hook. My 5 year old and 9 year old demonstrate.

Where have you been in the "I've Been Everywhere" Song?

Where have you been to in the I've been Everywhere song (As sung by Hank Snow, Johnny Cash and others)?

Here's where I've been. I gave myself the benefit of the doubt for locations that could refer to more than one place (like Springfield and Washington) if I had been to one of them.

18 out of 92 places

[x] Winnemucca
[x] Reno
[x] Chicago
[ ] Fargo
[ ] Minnesota
[ ] Buffalo
[ ] Toronto
[ ] Winslow
[ ] Sarasota
[ ] Wichita
[ ] Tulsa
[ ] Ottawa
[x] Oklahoma
[x] Tampa
[ ] Panama
[x] Mattawa
[ ] La Paloma
[ ] Bangor
[ ] Baltimore
[ ] Salvador
[ ] Amarillo
[ ] Tocopilla
[ ] Barranquilla
[ ] Padilla
[ ] Boston
[ ] Charleston
[ ] Dayton
[ ] Louisiana
[x] Washington
[ ] Houston
[ ] Kingston
[ ] Texarkana
[ ] Monterey
[ ] Ferriday
[ ] Santa Fe
[ ] Tallapoosa
[ ] Glen Rock
[ ] Black Rock
[ ] Little Rock
[ ] Oskaloosa
[ ] Tennessee
[ ] Hennessey
[ ] Chicopee
[x] Spirit Lake
[ ] Grand Lake
[ ] Devils Lake
[x] Crater Lake
[ ] Louisville
[ ] Nashville
[ ] Knoxville
[ ] Ombabika
[ ] Schefferville
[x] Jacksonville
[ ] Waterville
[ ] Costa Rica
[ ] Pittsfield
[ ] Springfield
[x] Bakersfield
[ ] Shreveport
[ ] Hackensack
[ ] Cadillac
[ ] Fond du Lac
[ ] Davenport
[x] Idaho
[ ] Jellico
[ ] Argentina
[ ] Diamantina
[x] Pasadena
[x] Catalina
[x] Pittsburgh
[ ] Parkersburg
[ ] Gravelbourg
[x] Colorado
[x] Ellensburg
[x] Rexburg
[ ] Vicksburg
[ ] El Dorado
[ ] Larimore
[ ] Atmore
[ ] Haverstraw
[ ] Chatanika
[ ] Chaska
[ ] Nebraska
[ ] Alaska
[ ] Opelika
[ ] Baraboo
[ ] Waterloo
[ ] Kalamazoo
[ ] Kansas City
[ ] Sioux City
[ ] Cedar City
[ ] Dodge City

New Award Ideas For Obama

No president should have to settle for a devalued Nobel Peace prize. If Carter and Gore have already won it, it ain't worth much. Here are some more award ideas for our dear peacock.



Clunker Auto Sales Award - That "fantastic" summer had a big September hangover. Since when is it it a good idea to encourage more consumer debt AND destroy perfectly good cars?

Double Digit Unemployment Award- How's that hopey changey thing workin' out for ya? Maybe Obama will try and graciously share this one with Bush, but unemployment was only 6.5% at the time of Obama's election.

Bill Ayers Writing Ribbon- Since Obama is always willing to share and give credit where credit is due.

Two Cy Young Awards - One for each league, based on the lefty's 58 foot lob to open the 2009 All Star game. It's 60 feet to home plate, but don't let that phase you, just change the rules. 60 feet is obviously a legacy of the failed Bush era.

An Oscar- Best actor award, for impersonating a president (HT: Rick Wiese)

The Caldecott Medal- Barack Obama- Son of Promise, Child of Hope. Illustrated children's book.

Lowest Common Denominator Award- Remember the eighty-twenty rule? It's not fair. So lets's split everything fifty-fifty - with Uncle Sam. He knows how to spend my money better than I do.

Careful Accounting Award- For doing such a good job of keeping track of where the bailout and stimulus money has gone.

Teleprompter Award- No explanation necessary.

Olympic Gold Medal - based on the results of Obama's fruitful Chicago Olympic bid. With the devalued dollar, he will need to take over more cases of cash next time.

The Government Can Award- Because who knows how to manage things better than the government?

Bomb the Moon Medal- Bush forgot to, but Obama fixed that oversight.

Global Cooling Ice Sculpture- based on low temperatures and the fact that the Rockies/Phillies game was snowed out.

Open Government Award- Thanks for posting all bills online and allowing open debate.

Payday Loan Medallion- Borrow all you want and don't worry. It's our kid's problem. Medallion made in China.

DMV Style Medal- Health Care DMV style? Sign me up!

Club Gitmo T-Shirt- Since Obama has done such a fine job keeping his promise to shut down Guantanamo. Free award from a lovable fuzzball.

The Levy is Dry Award- Based on zero visits to Louisiana. It almost makes you think that he doesn't care about red states.

Beer Summit Award- Cheers to a post-racial America! Beer covers a multitude of sins. This must have been a Biden suggestion.

Change You Can Believe In Award- For what's left in America's pocket.

So Long and Thanks for all the Fish Award- To be presented by Harry Reid and a few other congress members in 2010.

Youtube health care videos

Here are a couple of my favorite health care videos. :)

Funny Fix Pictures

Poor Man's Hot Water Heater















Windshield Defroster

















Spare Tire
















More on this Site: ThereIFixedIt.com

JibJab Barak Obama Video

Very funny and over the top. :)

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Chain Rxn High Score Tricks

Chain Rxn is an addictive flash game that can be found on Facebook. Here's are some strategies and tips for getting a high score:

Trick #1
Don't waste time on the early levels. You won't start making big points until level 5 or so.

Trick #2
You score more from a staggered chain explosion than from one where multiple balls hit the same source. In the following example four balls are exploded each time. But the first method results in 10,000 points [100 + 800 + 2700 + 6400], the second only scores 2,500 points [100 + 800 + 800 + 800]. You can extrapolate this out and see how this will make a huge difference, particularly in the later levels.

Trick #3
Keeping trick #2 in mind, it is always good to start in a corner. You have a better chance of getting a stringed chain explosion when starting from the corner, as the balls can initially hit it from only one direction.


Trick #4
Track the balls for a while, and plan the initial explosion for when you can see several balls coming in a steady stream from the same direction (like shown in the first "good" example).

Trick #5
There are no penalties for failed attempts. Take your time and be patient. By starting in the corner it will take more attempts before you finally clear a level. But when you do clear it, your score will on average be much higher.

By utilizing these tips you can easily score 40 million or more. Have fun!